IU Falls Short in NWCA Dual Series

Sunday, February 21

Bloomington, Ind.

1 PM

Indiana University

Appalachian State

2/21/2016 5:48:00 PM | Wrestling

Four Hoosiers notch the winning column in Indiana’s first-ever NWCA Series appearance

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana wrestling season wrapped up their 2015-16 home schedule with their NWCA Division I National Dual Championship Series meet against Appalachian State. The Hoosiers won four-of-10 bouts but dropped the dual result, 21-13, to the Southern Conference dual champions. Indiana slides to 6-7 on the season, while Appalachian State moves to 12-4.

Official Results: No. 25 Appalachian State 21, Indiana 13
Sunday, February 21, 2016 • 1:00 p.m. ET
Bloomington, Ind. • University Gymnasium

157: David Peters-Logue (ASU) dec. Jake Danishek (IU), SV-1 6-4 // ASU, 3-0
165: Bryce Martin (IU) dec. Forrest Przybysz (ASU), 5-4 // Tied, 3-3
174: No. 11 Nate Jackson (IU) maj. dec. Nick Kee (ASU), 12-4 // IU, 7-3
184: Matt Irick (IU) dec. Taylor Jackson (ASU), 7-5 // IU, 10-3
197: Randall Diabe (ASU) dec. Jake Masengale (IU), 6-3 // IU, 10-6
285: No. 6 Denzel Dejournette (ASU) dec. Garret Goldman (IU), 5-1 // IU, 10-9
125: No. 19 Elijah Oliver (IU) dec. Vito Pasone (ASU), 10-9 // IU, 13-9
133: Irvin Enriquez (ASU) dec. Alonzo Shepherd (IU), 6-2 // IU, 13-12
141: Mike Longo (ASU) pinned Tommy Cash (IU), Fall 6:53 // ASU, 18-13
149: Matt Zovistoski (ASU) dec. Luke Blanton (IU), 6-5 // ASU, 21-13

Bryce Martin (165) put the Hoosiers on the scoreboard with his first dual victory since IU's home contest against Maryland (1/15), a 5-4 decision over Forrest Przybysz. Martin trailed 3-4 heading into the final period, but he persevered for the decisive takedown with 22 seconds left in the bout.

The Hoosiers added to their point total in the following bout with No. 11 Nate Jackson (174), who picked up a major decision over NCAA hopeful Nick Kee. Jackson tallied five takedowns, including two in the first two minutes, on his way to his 20^th bonus point win of the season.

"I had a tough opponent today, a future NCAA qualifier and an offensive-minded wrestler," Jackson said. "I was able to take his energy early in the match, which helped me get the major today."

Senior Matt Irick (184) followed Martin and Jackson with another decision win in the fourth bout of the afternoon, a 7-5 victory over Taylor Jackson. Tied 3-3 entering the final period, Irick battled for a strong two-takedown finish in the third.

After two Mountaineer victories in the 197 lbs. and heavyweight bouts, Indiana led 10-9 heading into the 125 lbs. bout between No. 19 Elijah Oliver and Vito Pasone. Oliver got the first takedown, but Pasone tied the contest with a late reversal in the first period. In the next two minutes, Pasone earned a takedown with back points for a 7-3 lead heading into the final two minutes. After an early escape, Oliver trailed 8-3 before making his inspiring comeback.

With a minute to go, Oliver dropped Pasone to the mat. The Hoosier freshman yielded an escape point before picking up another takedown with 37 seconds remaining. He allowed another escape, still trailing 9-7 with 30 seconds to go. Officials awarded a stall point to Oliver in the closing seconds, and the grapplers re-set at center mat with five seconds remaining.

Oliver needed a takedown in the final seconds for a win. The whistle sounded, Oliver lunged out of the neutral position, and brought Pasone to the mat in two seconds, securing the 10-9 win.

"I didn't plan it, I just knew what I had to do," Oliver said regarding his bout-winning takedown. "I knew I had to get after him in those five seconds, and I believe that I can do anything with five seconds."

The Hoosiers led 13-12 heading into the final two bouts. At 141 lbs., freshman Tommy Cash fought a tight bout that resulted in a pin for Appalachian State's Mike Longo with seven seconds remaining in the bout. In the final matchup of the afternoon, Hoosier sophomore Luke Blanton dropped a 6-5 decision that was decided by Matt Zovistoski's riding time point.

Other Hoosiers with valiant efforts included Jake Danishek (157), who opened the dual with a narrow 6-4 loss in sudden victory. Garret Goldman (HWT) held his own against No. 6 Denzel Dejournette, but fell in a close 5-1 decision.

Indiana won the takedown total, 18-11, but the Mountaineers erased the deficit with a 22-11 escape advantage and the dual's only two nearfalls.

Up Next: 2016 Big Ten Wrestling Championships
Saturday, March 5-Sunday, March 6, 2016
Iowa City, Iowa • Carver-Hawkeye Arena

The Hoosiers close the door on the regular season and prepare for the two most important tournaments of the year: the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships. Up first, the Hoosiers return to Iowa City for a battle of Big Ten supremacy. Several Hoosiers will aim for a bid to the NCAA Championships.

Indiana has three grapplers ranked in the NWCA Coaches' Panel: Elijah Oliver (125), Luke Blanton (149), and Nate Jackson (174). The trio hopes for a deep tournament run as they hope to improve their seeding in the national tournament.

"Focused. I've got to be focused," Oliver said when asked about his preparation. "Train hard, eat right, study well, and get plenty of sleep in the next four weeks. This is the time of the year where everybody is doing all the right things, and I can't be the exception."